Woman arrested months after being photographed riding manatee

Case made national news in September

A St. Petersburg woman has been charged with violating Florida law by riding a manatee.

Ana Gloria Garcia Gutierrez was arrested on a misdemeanor warrant Saturday. Pinellas County sheriff's deputies said she was photographed riding the manatee at Fort De Soto Park in September.

Sheriff Bob Gualtieri spoke at a news conference a few days later asking for the public's help in identifying the woman. Gutierrez called deputies and allegedly admitted touching the endangered sea mammal. She told them she was new to the area and didn't know it was illegal to touch a manatee. The manatee was not hurt.

The maximum penalty is a $500 fine and six months in jail. Gutierrez was released on $1,500 bail.

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